AN: Since this is the last introductory chapter, I wanted to give some shout outs to my lovely fans. Thank you so much -

Shinobi of the Hidden Leaf, Sp1c3M0nst3r, adgenelia, and Apocolypsebutterfly for following my story.

Wolfy-sama, Skipping Through, and tigerlilyroars1 for favouriting my story.

SylpheKuro, Oniele, Shibashi, ZEROdegree, and KLili58 for both following and favouriting.

This is in dedication to all of you, for supporting my story as you have and I hope you like this.

I would also like to respond to my reviews -

Nova (guest): Thank you :D I love Sasori's character so much, I just decided to make him one of the main side characters (and your reassurance kind of solidified it so thanks again).

ZEROdegree: Thank you so much :P I should really specify what world my story is set on, so thanks for letting me know. I remember when I was younger and reading stories well into the sun rising, and the immense feelings I had, and I just can't come to terms with that someone is actually going through that with my story of all things! Thank you so much for leaving a review and brightening up my day!

Shinobi of the Hidden Leaf: Ohhhh thank you :') I intended to make Itachi's character controversial, and was worried it wouldn't stick seeing as...you know...but the fact that I swayed your opinion (in a way? I guess) assured me that I was getting the reaction I wanted. Do not fret though! Itachi is going to be controversial. So hang tight and thanks for making me bust a whine ;)

Thank you all for reviewing. It's really one of the biggest ways you can motivate writers to do their thang. I can tell you all very confidently that each of your reviews lifted me out of a funky block and pushed me to update. I never want to impose my readers to comment and leave reviews, despite wanting more interaction with you guys, simply because I get it. Leave me your thoughts and feelings and your preferences and your ideas IF YOU FEEL LIKE IT. I will always read and respond to them. Thank you so much for all you guys've done so far to support this. This is chapter fifteen. The next one will be the plot's pivotal moment.

WITHOUT FURTHER ADODODO~


FIFTEEN


One two three four five six I hope your eyes fall off seven eight nine ten eleven twelve thirteen Hinata's birthday is coming fourteen fifteen sixteen seventeen I'll be valedictorian and give these wastes of oxygen a piece of my mind eighteen nineteen twenty Oh hell I have History kill me now oh no oh no –

"I've heard you were looking for me the other day."

I invariably flinch as I pull out the detention pad and hand it to him, taking a quick glance at the board and letting a quick breath of relief when I notice it's already clean. He raises an eyebrow, which snaps me out of my stupor of complete and utter horror of his sudden question and helps me remember what it is he was talking about.

"Well…um, I was looking for the teacher in charge of the Art Club, and I…uh, need to tell them something?" I choke out speedily, wanting to kick myself in the teeth for making that sound like I'm nervous when I could darn well be but would not like to admit to anyone –

"Yes, as I've previously mentioned, I'm aware of your initiative," he says as he returns the pad to me and folds his hands on his spotless desk, "What I'm asking you is what you needed from me."

I'm shifting my weight on either foot or pretending to leaf through the now empty pad full of pages with his signature at the bottom in order to avoid his penetrating Uchiha-mysterious-level gaze.

"Yeah, um, I….I didn't need anything from you, um, but thank you."

He bursts into this horribly DEMONIC laugh and I cannot for the love of my lovely street cat Ice Cream think up a situation more awkward and embarrassing for me than this one right here. I wish Sasori bursts into the room and…vanquishes him. Yeah. Vanquishes. There's not a better alternative than his death to help me get through this, and I can't miss my Biology mock exam next period.

"You don't understand? I'm in charge of the Art Club."

HAH?!

I TAKE THAT BACK SASORI COME SACRIFICE ME TO YOUR DOLL GODDESS OMFFFF SAKURA YOU CAN HAVE THAT BRACELET I FOUND BEHIND THE BLEACHERS THAT ONE TIME I'M SO SORRY FOR YELLING 'FINDERS KEEPERS!' AND RUNNING AWAY PLEASE JUST CREMATE MY BODY AND GIVE MY LIVER TO SASUKE CUZ HE'S GROSS AND LOVES EATING THAT SHIT OHHHH I'M SO SO SORRY NARUTO FOR KILLING YOUR GOLDFISH WHEN WE WERE NINE I WAS HUNGRY AND THEY KNEW I COULDN'T EAT THEM AND THE GUILT HAUNTS ME TO THIS DAY AND PLEASE MARRY HINATA OR I'LL HAUNT YOU SHE NEEDS PEACE AND SO DO I AND AND AND I'M SORRY BAKA-KAKASHI-SENSEI BUT I HATE YOU AND YOUR BAKA UNDYING FAITH LIKE QUIT STALKING UNDERAGED KIDS YOU CLOSET PERVERT AND PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ICE CREAM CONCENTRATE ON SASUKE'S STUPID BROTHER HE SECRETLY THINKS YOU CAN SWING THE OTHER WAY OHHH SCREW YOU ALL I HATE EVERY LAST ONE OF –

"Kushina?"

"I wanted to talk to you about the other members," I finally say with a confident smile, looking at him with a straight face. "Besides Sasori and I, no one else shows up, and I don't really mind it but I believe that they're just lost or something."

Spoken like someone who has her shit together. Pat pat.

"I will look into it."

I nod and make my way to my desk.

"I didn't think you'd join the Art Club," he mentions with a tilted head, "Considering you like to write."

Is this public knowledge now?

"Uhh no, I….I wanted something different and um, photography is good…" I trail off, fiddling with my skirt.

Why am I so nervous you say?

~Moments ago~

The classic sign of going deep with someone is the initiation of sharing possessions. Most would say sharing secrets were more fulfilling, but when one doesn't have any (ME!) and the other doesn't have enough motivation (SAUCEY!), exchanging stuff is the next best thing.

Which brings me to my first predicament of the day.

"Is this even allowed? Am I already beginning to influence you?"

Sasuke rolls his eyes, whereas I gasp hysterically.

"Oh, I so AM influencing you!"

"Rolling your eyes isn't your thing, Kushina. Quit rolling your eyes. You're starting to look like an idiot."

I stopped and gave him a look. "At least we match now."

He smirks a little. "Are you calling me an idiot?"

"This further proves it – you're too slow to pick up on someone insulting you!"

"Could you just shut up and take this? I want it back by the end of the week, alright?"

I roll my eyes at his snarky attitude.

"See you later," Sasuke sighs, patting my shoulder as he pushes off his locker and struts off.

"You're totally the woman in this relationship!" I yell at his retreating form, and when he fully turns around to face me as he walks backwards, he shoots me an eye roll. "Yeah, diva, keeping rolling!"

I face my locker once again and stare at the thing he gave me wrapped carefully with a plastic bag, before slamming it shut – only for me to jump out of my freaking skin after seeing Sakura noiselessly standing where Sasuke once stood.

"Damn, Sakura, don't just casually do that – it isn't April Fool's day yet."

She continued to look at me with a pouty expression for a while, so I made a gesture for her to talk or be ditched. She sighed deeply, before standing straight. "Since when were you and Sasuke-kun close?"

I gasped dramatically. "Us? Close?"

I frowned when she gave me a serious look. "Well, gosh Sakura, it's not like it's something crazy."

I heard her footfalls behind me once I started to walk to my class, making me sigh a little. "Is there something you'd like to hear? You're class is the other way."

She's quiet for a bit, only following, until we reach my classroom.

"Do you like him?" Sakura asks surprisingly meekly, twiddling with her fingers in a manner that was so Hinata. I pursed my lips to stop myself from laughing in her face.

"Is Sakura-chan confessing to me?" I asked in mock shyness, only for her to giggle and push me playfully. I smile with her and nod. "I don't like him the way you do, that's for sure."

It makes me wonder though.

She suddenly turns around, straightening her back like nothing ever happened between us. "I was just curious," she says, before running off. I roll my eyes and mumble, "You so totally like him," before turning to enter my class.

Only for Madara Uchiha to strut towards me as I enter.

Oh, boy.

OH FREAKING BOY!

"It's been a good month so far – " I start counting the things I've been grateful for, and when he chuckles, I moan sadly. The last thing I'll ever hear is an Uchiha laughing at me. Wait to go, Sasuke, you win.

"I'm not going to do anything," he booms with mirth, and I recall my shining moments of bravery in the presence of this man as I melt into a pool of fear and anxiety. "I just have one question."

I want to be beheaded. That's the easiest and most bad-ass way to go.

"Did he give it to you?"

…..

…...

….

"Pardon?"

Madara (-sensei) checks his watch and clicks his tongue, before retreating back to his desk. I take the initiative to get to my seat as he rummages through his drawers.

"Sasuke – did he give you the toy?"

I was taken aback a little, and it must have shown, seeing as he shoots me an encouraging nod to start talking, as if I knew what I was going to say.

"I – he, what?" I exhaled through my nose slowly. "He told you?"

Madara shakes his head, and I oddly see at as an upgrade from his usual morbid displays of emotion. "He was talking about it yesterday at dinner, if he should give it to you or not, and I needed to know for personal reasons."

"I – he, what?" I exhale a little louder. "Why would he do that?"

"Isn't it obvious?" he pulled out some papers and placed it neatly on his desk. "He has a crush on you."

"I – he, WHAT?!" I stand up now, my hands slam on the table. "That doesn't make any sense; it's just a game boy! It's not even a gift, and if it was, I'd prefer it in blue and what am I saying, you're just Bastard-sensei –"

I stop dead in my tracks,

the silence is deafening.

It's only when a few students start to trickle in do I hesitantly sit down and glue my eyes to the table for the rest of the class. He doesn't acknowledge me either.

"Did you do something?" Hinata asks me after class is dismissed, noticing the lack of usual contact between me and him. I shrug, and give her a look that clearly means I couldn't explain it, before I gesture for her to rush out with the rest of the students.

"Uzumaki."

I freeze.

"Kindly close the door after everyone is out."

I frantically try to calm my ragged breathing as I shut the door and turn to face him.

~Now~

He laughs. I take a step back.

"You have absolute guts to look directly at me after that episode," he smirks in a way eerily similar to Sasuke.

My so called absolute guts are MIA.

"I…..I'm sorry?"

"Are you asking a question, Uzumaki?"

"No…?"

I am an idiot. Sasuke you were right. I hope you find another girl who'd be compatible to your diva self.

"You're forgiven."

…..

…..

…..

"Pardon?"

Madara nods as he turns away to rummage again. "You're forgiven, just don't call me that in public, and be here tomorrow after class."

He scribbles on a familiar looking slip before he stretches out his hand to offer it to me. I take it with a surprisingly firm hand. I scowl as I read it.

"Don't make that face Kushina, I can't be playing favourites here."

"Fav – huh?"

I barely process the Uchiha smirk resurfacing. "You're dismissed."

Every time his class ends and we get to leave, I always feel like an immense burden has been lifted off my shoulders. This time, the burden is replaced with bitter revelation, which seems like it isn't going to go away anytime soon.

Life sucks.